Selective Stabilization Seatback Support Assembly

ABSTRACT

A selective stabilization seatback support assembly includes a back plate member or generally rigid back plate member having a plurality of adjustable, positionable cushion elements attachable to the inside surface thereof to provide unique and selective cushioning of a person positioned in the seat. The device is attachable to pre-existing seatbacks such as provided for chairs, wheelchairs, automobile seats and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus orassembly designed to enable selective stabilization of a seat backsupport or brace. The assembly is attachable to the back of a chair orseat such as an automobile seatback or wheel chair seatback. Theassembly is designed to enable placement of various elements in adesired or selective manner or pattern in order to provide therapeuticrelief and support to or for the back an individual positioned on a seatto which the assembly is attached.

Heretofore, there have been various proposals for chair or seatbacksupport devices or assemblies that may be combined with an existing seatsuch as an automobile seat, chair, wheelchair or the like. Thus lumbarsupport and seatback supports which are transportable and which may beadded to or incorporated with an existing seat are known. It is alsoknown that such seatback supports or assemblies may be therapeutic ororthopedic and may also be adjustable by virtue of mechanical or otheradjustment techniques. Assemblies may be incorporated in automobileseats which enable mechanical adjustments by means of levers or by theuse of air cushions which are selectively inflatable. The following is alisting of patents in this general category of seatback support systems:U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,463,544, entitled “Orthopedic Seat Back”, issued Aug.26, 1969; 4,718,724, entitled Lumbar Support for Seat Attachment”,issued Jan. 12, 1988; 5,299,851, entitled “Adjustable Cushion Assemblyfor a Chair”, issued Apr. 5, 1994; 5,348,378, entitled “PressureBalanced Torsion System for a Backseat and the Like, issued Sep. 20,1994; 5,468,048, entitled “Seat Back with Adjustable Support”, issuedNov. 21, 1995; 6,036,265, entitled “Shape-Adjusting Mechanism forBackrest”, issued Mar. 14, 2000; 6,056,360, entitled “Adjustable LumbarSeat Support”, issued May 2, 2000; 6,158,815, entitled “Seat Having aSeat Cushion Including a Polyurethane Form Pad onto a Portion of which aStretchable, Nonwoven Fabric is Laminated”, issued Dec. 12, 2000;6,419,318, entitled “Chair Having an Adjustable Lumbar Mechanism”,issued Jul. 16, 2002; 6,550,859, entitled “Backrest Device for a VehicleSeat”, issued Apr. 22, 2003; and 6,866,340, entitled “Spinal GlideErgonomic Chair Seat and Pelvic Stabilizer”, issued Mar. 15, 2005.

Despite the abundance of the prior art patents, there exists the needfor enhanced adjustability and simplicity of construction of a seatbacksupport assembly. In addition, portability of such an assembly is adesired feature. A further desired feature is the ability to incorporatesuch an assembly with multiple types of seating arrangements. In otherwords, a support assembly which has generally universal applicability isa desired characteristic of such a seatback support system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly the present invention comprises a selective stabilizationseatback support assembly. A basic component of the support assembly isa plate member which is designed to generally conform with the shape ofa seatback and thus has a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension.A typical configuration for such a plate member is rectangular andplanar. However, such a plate member may be curved and assume variousconfigurations or shapes though the plate member is appropriatelycharacterized as having a vertical axis as well as a horizontal axis.

The plate member includes a support surface or inside surface having anarray of fastening elements incorporated thereon or therein. Varioustypes of fastening elements may be arrayed in a matrix on the insidesurface. Hook and loop fastener material constitutes an example;however, there are numerous other examples including an array or apattern of fasteners and/or fastener openings provided in the platemember. The array of fastener elements on the inside surface or throughthe inside surface of the plate member is typically a non-random array.That is, the array typically constitutes a particular or desired patternwhich enables cooperation of the fastener elements with separate cushionelements which may be positioned at substantially an infinite number ofpositions and in an infinite number of orientations on the insidesurface of the plate member. The cushion members themselves may havemultiple configurations and shapes and may vary in the “softness” orcompressibility. Cushion members may be thus, attached to the platemember by means of hook and loop fastener material by way of example.The variety and type of cushion members or support members is notgenerally restricted. The shapes of the cushion members, their density,compressibility and dimensions are all variables which may be consideredfor placement on the inside surface of the back support plate member. Assuch, the combination of described elements provides infinite optionsfor custom design of a selective stabilization seatback supportassembly.

Ancillary support members may also be fastened to the plate member toprovide for lateral support of an individual utilizing the supportassembly of the invention. Additionally, ancillary features may includemechanisms attachable to the plate member which enable fastening of theplate member to the arms or other elements of a wheelchair or automobileseat or the like. The additional attachment members may constitutestraps or alternatively rigid attachment mechanisms such as locking barsor the like.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved, selectivestabilization seatback support assembly which enables the design of acustomized orthopedic and/or therapeutic seatback support for use incombination with multiple types of seats.

A further object of the invention is to provide a seatback supportassembly which is easily assembled and adjusted and which is costeffective.

A further object of the invention is to provide a selectivestabilization seatback support assembly which may be used with or incombination with a variety of types of seats by attachment to the backor vertical element of a seat such as a chair.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, rugged,stable and easily assembled selective stabilization seatback supportassembly.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbe set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to thedrawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is isometric view of an embodiment of a seatback support assemblyillustrating the matrix of fastening elements and cushion elementsattached to the inside surface of the plate member forming the seatbackassembly and further illustrating a means for attachment of the seatbacksupport assembly to the vertical element of a seat such as a chair;

FIG. 2 is a inside surface plan view of the generally rigid plate memberelement of the seatback support assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the plate member of FIG. 2 takenalong the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an auxiliary support element which may beattached to the plate member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a further support element which may beattached to the plate member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another support member attached to aplate member of the type depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a member for attachment of the platemember to a seat, for example, the seat of a wheelchair to therebymaintain the plate member in a relatively fixed position and attached toa seatback;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view illustrating the attachment of a selectivestabilization back support assembly of FIG. 1 to a wheelchair wherein anattachment bar or mechanism, depicted in FIG. 7, is utilized tofacilitate the attachment;

FIG. 9 depicts an isometric view the attachment of the seatback supportassembly to a chair such as a deck chair; and

FIG. 10 is an isometric view illustrating the attachment of theembodiment of the seatback support assembly to an automobile seat.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the embodiment of the selectivestabilization seatback support assembly includes a back plate member 14which includes or is defined by a vertical axis 16 and a horizontal axis18. The plate member 14 is generally rigid but may display someflexibility. The plate member 14 typically is a flat planar member andis generally rectangular in configuration. However, the plate member 14may be slightly arcuate. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the platemember may be in the shape of a curve or a shallow concave curve withthe lateral sides 20 and 22 positioned more forwardly than the centerportion between the lateral sides 20 and 22. Further, the plate member14 may have a configuration such as a trapezoidal configuration or anhour glass configuration or some other configuration deemed appropriatewith respect to the utility of the assembly. That is the configurationof the chairs or seats into which the assembly is to be placed maydictate the configuration of the plate member 14. The size of the personusing the device may be a factor regarding the size and configuration ofthe plate member 14. The plate member typically includes the verticalaxis 18 and a transverse axis 16 as well as a medial line 17. Generally,the plate 14 is symmetrical about the medial line 17, but may benon-symmetrical.

The plate member 14 includes a plurality of fastening elements such ashook and loop fastening elements 24 arranged on the inside surface 26 ina pattern that defines a fastening matrix or pattern which is typicallya regular pattern. That is the pattern in the example depicted includesequally spaced, vertical strips of hook and loop fastening material 24.It is noted that the hook and loop fastener material 24 constitutes avertical array of elements. The invention is not limited to such anarray. The array may be horizontal or in some other pattern.

In addition to the array of hook and loop fastener material 24 locatedon the inside surface 26, an array of fastener openings 28 is providedthough the plate member 14. The openings 28 constitute an array, in thisparticular instance, located intermediate the adjacent strips of hookand loop fastener material 24. The openings 28 thus form a matrix offastening elements or fastening features for the plate member 14.

The assembly further includes various cushion elements such ascushioning elements 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38. The cushioning elements 30,32, 34, 36 and 38 comprise spongy or elastic material having hook andloop fastener material 40 included on the inner surface thereof forcooperation of the hook and loop fastener material 24 attached to platemember 14. In this manner, the various cushion elements or cushionsupport elements 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 may be affixed to the insidesurface of the plate member 14. The positioning and/or repositioning ofthe array of the cushions or cushioning members 30-38 is determined bythe needs of the individual that will be utilizing the assembly. Aspecialist in orthopedics or physical therapy techniques with respect toback health may facilitate the placement of the cushion members 30-38.Thus, the device may be used by health practitioners as well asindividuals who may adjust the placement and positioning of the cushions30-38 as well as the selection of the type of cushions including theirhardness, density, size configuration and the like. A kit comprising thecomponents described may thus be made available to individuals for theirown customized personal use and seatback support design.

The assembly further includes means for fastening the plate member 14 tothe back side of a seat. Such means may include cords 42, 44 attachedrespectively to the lower side and upper side of the plate member 14.Other means for attachment are described hereinafter and include clampswhich may fit over the top side of a seatback as well as structuralmembers such as illustrated and discussed with respect to the disclosurein FIG. 7 for fixed attachment of the plate member 14 to a chair or thelike.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate further elements such as lateral supportelements or cushion elements which may be fastened or attached to theplate member 14. In FIG. 4, an L-shaped bracket 50 includes a cushionelement 52 affixed to one leg of the L. An attachment leg 54 of theL-shape bracket 50 includes openings such as opening 56 through which afastener 58 may be attached to thereby affix the bracket 50 to the platemember 14. A series of fasteners may be utilized or the bracket 50 mayinclude projecting pins which fit through the openings 28.

In similar fashion, the support of FIG. 5 comprises a bracket 60 havingan attachment leg 62 and a cushion support leg 64. With cushions 66 and68 positioned thereon. Note that the cushion 66 is affixed to thebracket leg 64 by means of hook and loop fastener material 70 therebypermitting adjustment of the cushion element 66. Again, theconfiguration size, shape and dimensions of the cushion members such asmember 66 may vary in accord with desire, design and need. The bracketssuch as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 typically provide lateral support for anindividual positioned with their back against the inside surface 26 ofthe plate member 14.

FIG. 6 discloses a further combination of lateral support members 72 and74 which are depicted attached to a selected portion of plate member 14.The lateral support members 74 and 76 are arcuate at their outer extremeends and include cushion material such as cushion material 76 again toprovide lateral support for an individual seated against the platemember 14 and leaning against a lateral support member.

FIG. 7 illustrates an attachment bracket 80 which may be affixed to theoutside surface 82 of the plate member 14. That is the, bracket 80includes fasteners which fit through the openings 28 to attach thebracket 80 to the outside surface of the plate member 14. Bifurcated endextensions 84 and 86 are retained on the main bracket bar 81 by means ofa fastener 88. This permits adjustment and fastening of the bifurcatedextensions 84 and 86 to fit around the vertical chair back elements suchas elements 90 and 92 of the wheelchair 94 depicted in FIG. 8. A bracketsuch as the bracket 80 may be utilized to fix the lower end of the platemember 14 as well as the upper end of the plate 14 to the verticalelements or bars 90 and 92.

FIG. 9 depicts the attachment of the support assembly by means of straps96 to a back side 98 of a chair.

FIG. 10 illustrates the attachment of the assembly to an automobileseat. In this embodiment, the plate 14 may be attached by means of acords or straps as well as semi-circular brackets 100 and 102 which fitover the top of the back seat cushion of the vehicle seat 104.

Thus, there are numerous methods and ways to attach the assembly tovarious types of seats. There are multiple types and configurations,shapes, sizes and characteristics that can be associated with thecushion elements. The shape of the plate member 14 may be adjusted oraltered in numerous ways. Important features of the invention are,however, the utilization of a mechanism which enables fastening ofmultiple types of cushion elements in multiple arrays upon the insidesurface of a seatback support plate. Thus, while there have been setforth various embodiments and features of the invention, the inventionis to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

1. A selective stabilization seatback support assembly comprising: agenerally rigid plate member having a vertical axis and a horizontalaxis, an inside surface and an outside surface; a fastener element arrayon the inside surface; at least one positionable cushion memberattachable to the fastener element array and capable of being attachableto and detachable from the fastener element array, said cushion membercharacterized by being positionable in diverse orientations andpositions on the inside surface and retention by the fastener array. 2.The assembly wherein the fastener element array comprises hook and loopfastener material and the cushion member includes hook and loop fastenermaterial for attachment thereof to the fastener element array.
 3. Theassembly of claim 1 comprising at least two separate cushion membershaving distinct configurations.
 4. The assembly of claim 2 comprising atleast two separate cushion members having distinct configurations. 5.The assembly of claim 1 further including a chair attachment assembly.6. The assembly of claim 1 including a strap attached to the platemember for attachment of the plate onto a chair.
 7. The assembly ofclaim 1 including a bracket member attachable to the plate, said bracketmember including means for attachment to a chair.
 8. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the cushion member extends in a direction outwardly fromthe inside surface and laterally from the plate member to providelateral engagement of a person positioned against the inside surface. 9.The assembly of claim 1 further including a pattern of attachmentopenings in the plate member for attachment of cushion members.
 10. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the plate member is generally rectangularand includes an array of hook and loop fastening material on the insidesurface and a pattern of fastener opening in the inside surface, andwherein at least two distinctly configured cushion members are attachedto the inside surface.
 11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein at least oneof the cushion members is comprised of an in elastic bracket with atleast a portion of the bracket including a cushion material.
 12. Theassembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of the cushion members iscomprised of a bracket with at least a portion of the bracket includinga cushion material.